In the black-and-white era of cinema, a quiet storm emerged in 1958, an actor whose eyes spoke volumes and whose calm intensity left audiences spellbound.
By the 1960s, he was a force on-screen, delivering roles that lingered long after the credits rolled. He wasn’t known for flamboyance, but for the quiet command he brought to every frame. Whether playing a conflicted lover or a morally driven hero, his performances shaped an era. But, despite getting enormous fame this renowned actor decided to bid farewell to world of glitz and glam to pursue career in aviation.
Who Is This Superstar?
The actor we are talking about is Sushil Kumar, who is best known for films like ‘Dhool Ka Phool’, ‘Kala Bazaar’ and ‘Dosti’. The actor’s luck became his fortune when he was offered a three-year contract by Rajshri Productions and at that time working with this production house was a dream of many big stars.
How Sushil Kumar Started His Career?
Born in a Sindhi family in Karachi, Sushil came to India with his family after Partition. His family did business, but it did not work out well. After this, in 1953, he started living in Mahim area of Bombay (presently known as Mumbai). Later, his grandfather suffered a huge loss in business and went bankrupt. Troubled by financial crisis, the actor’s entire family started living in a chawl in Mumbai. His real struggle started when both Sushil Kumar’s father and grandfather died.
Due to financial crisis, his mother asked him to work in films. He started this work under compulsion and later became a star with just one role. Sushil Kumar appeared as a child artist in films like ‘Phir Subah Hogi’, ‘Kala Bazaar’, ‘Dhool Ka Phool’, ‘Maine Jeena Seekh Liya’, ‘Shriman Satyawadi’, ‘Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere’, ‘Sanjog’, ‘Ek Ladki Saat Ladke’, ‘Phool Bane Angare’ and ‘Saheli’.
How One Role Changed The Fate Of Sushil Kumar?
Late Tarachand Barjatya, owner of Rajshri Productions and father of renowned director-producer Sooraj Barjatya, gave role to Sushil Kumar in Hindi remake of the Bengali film ‘Lalu-Bhulu’, which was named ‘Dosti’. Veteran actor Sudhir Kumar also appeared in it along with Sushil Kumar. After the release, ‘Dosti’ became one of the superhit films of that time. This film gave him tremendous name and fame in the film world.
Dosti ranked among the top ten highest-grossing films of 1964, labeled a “Super Hit” at the box office, and participated in the 4th Moscow International Film Festival. In 1977, the movie was remade in Malayalam and Telugu under the title ‘Sneham.’ Dosti received six Filmfare Awards from seven nominations.
Despite earning fame, Sushil gradually bid goodbye to films and completed his studies, after which he got a job as a cabin crew member in Air India.